Rinehart escapes action

May 23 2003

Picture: MOGENS JOHANSENGina Rinehart yesterday.

Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, has escaped charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice to persuade an inquest that her former stepmother, Rose Porteous, killed her father, Lang Hancock.

West Australian Attorney-General Jim McGinty said Mrs Rinehart's actions, in paying witnesses and potential witnesses for evidence to secure the 2001 inquest, were "highly suspicious". But he said no charges would be laid following advice from Solicitor-General Rob Meadows.